Obituary of Elizabeth Gowans

Elizabeth Beattie Harwood Gowans, 92 of Tulsa, Oklahoma quietly passed away March 5, 2012 at Saint Simeon's Episcopal Home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Oldest daughter of Carlisle Gaines and Florence Belle Harwood, Elizabeth was born in Oklahoma City on Valentines' Day, February 14, 1920. She was a graduate of Central High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts and her Master Degree in Education from The University of Tulsa, where she was a Phi Beta Kappa and President of her sorority, Chi Omega. Elizabeth was a classroom teacher in Tulsa for 38 years. She taught at Lincoln, Marshall and Eliot Elementary schools and personally touched the lives of thousands of students. After retirement, she worked at the Tulsa City-County Library tutoring adults in their reading program and also teaching in The University of Tulsa reading clinic. She was a long-time member of Southminster Presbyterian Church and served as both a deacon and an elder. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Ann Harwood Bryce. She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands: Margaret & David Underwood, Martha & Jeff Francis and Mary and Dennis Neibling. She has 6 grandchildren: Mallory Roark, Marty Link, David Pennington, Patrick Sloan, Morgan Francis and Megan Francis. She also leaves 8 great-grandchildren and many loved nephews and nieces. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Southminster Presbyterian Church's Music Fund.